Improvement in crushers and presses for culinary purposes



G. B. FOWLER.

Cr-ushrs and Presses for Culinary Purposes.

No. 136,498, H PatentedMarch 4, l873.

, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\M\\\ m a j 717577268898" fizz/enfor- AM PHa TO-L mm GRAPHIC co m: (osaams's PRO 056's) UNITED STATES GEORGE B. FOWLER, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT PATENT OFFICE.

TO EDWARD S. TORREY AND JOSEPH TORREY, OF NEW- YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN CRUSHERS AND PRESSES FOR CULINARY PURPOSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l3,498, dated March 4, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. FOWLER, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, haveinvented an Improved Crusher and Press for Culinary Purposes, of which the following is a specification:

It is the object of my invention to combine in a convenient kitchen utensil a device for crushingandmashingvegetablesandfruits,ibrpressin g meats, such as corned beef, head cheese, &c., and for other culinary purposes of a like nature; and it consists of an adjustable platen pivoted to a loose lever, in combination with a standard affixed to a bed, and having a series of recesses to admit of adjusting the lever to the work to be performed, said platen or fol lower and the corresponding part of the bed having their proximate faces diversel y grooved or corrugated, and the platen balanced on the lever by means of springs, and the bed provided with a handle projecting in line with the lever, as and for the purposes hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation representing the implement when used as a press. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing its use as a crusher.

As represented in the drawing, A is the bed or base of the press, having corrugations on its upper surface, as shown. From one side of the base the handle a extends, and from the other the serrated standard D rises. The notches in this standard form the fulcrums for the lever O. This lever is connected with the platen B by a short jointed central bearing, 0, and springs b b. The undersurface of the platen is corrugated, as shown. To the handle a is pivoted a vertical ratchet-bar, E, which projects through a slot in the handle a of the lever O, and is used when pressing articles to prevent the lever and platen: rising after being pressed down. When the press is used to crush fruit or other articles this ratchet, which is detachable, is dispensed with, as shown in Fig. 2. On the bed of the press is formed channels 0, surrounding the corrugated surface, into which any juices from the articles being pressed or crushed will flow, and may be received through a lip or opening in the bed in a vessel placed under it. The corrugated bed is preferably furnished with a divergent rim of suitable height for retaining the articles being crushed, and preventing the juices from being forced over its sides. The end of'the lever (l is forked or slotted so as to embrace the standard D and allow free vertical motion of the lever, and is provided with the bearing-pin d for engaging in the recesses, and preferably with a retaining-pin, f.

When used as a crusher, asshown in Fig.

2, the ratchet E will not be required, and may be removed. The bearing d is placed in one of the lower recesses, generally the lowest, and a vibratory motion is given to the platen by operating the lever O, the effect of which is quickly to reduce fruit or soft vegetables to a pulp.

In this operation the office of the springs 21 b is exercised in keeping the platen or follower well down to its work, and enabling its face to conform to the shape of the mass of material being operated, so that the pulping is more equal, rapid, and effectual. In pressin g, the springs also serve a useful purpose by keeping the follower equally poised on its central bearing or attachment to the lever. A single half-elliptic spring, attached to the lever and bearing on two sides of the center, would be the equivalent of the springs b b.

The corrugations on the follower are coarser than those on the bed, which more eifectuall y disintegrates the material under the grinding motion given by operating the lever.

When used for pressing, the article g is placed on the corrugated bed A, the platen B placed over it, and the forked arm of the lever O embracing the standard D, with its pin d resting in one of the notches. The lever is then pressed down by its handle a, and retained by the ratchet E. As the material yields the pin d slides over the incline of the teeth into the recess next below, giving a new bearing, by which the power is more advantageously applied; and this operation maybe repeated until the required compression is attained. The article may then be left under pressure as long as desired, the ratchet E securely retaining the platen and lever in the position in which they were placed.

The entire construction is that of a portable, simple, and easily-operated utensil for the family kitchen.

I claim as my invention- A combined crusher and press, consisting of the bed A and follower B, with their faces diversely corrugated, in combination with the adjusting'standard D and lever G, jointed to the follower, but detached and removable from the fulcrum-standard, and provided with the springs b b, with or without the ratchet-holder E, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. B. FOWLER. Witnesses:

J. FRASER, CHAS. M. HIGGINS. 

